24 Pictures That Show Which Muscle You Are Stretching During Your Exercise!

Stretching is a critical part of a comprehensive exercise program; however, it often becomes the overlooked third wheel of the cardio-strength training dynamic duo. Stretching is essential for safe and effective movement and for overall health.

Stretching promotes flexibility and brings nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and joints decreasing risk for injury and minimizing pain.

Though you may conjure up images of yogi’s twisted into impossible positions, stretching is actually easy to do. A program of simple, focused stretches is all you need to enhance your performance, reduce pain and even improve your posture. Here are a few important guidelines for stretching:

Stretch when muscles are warm after cardio, a warm shower or a few minutes of dynamic movement.

Stretch at least 2 times per week or daily if more stiff, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Do not rush stretching. Hold each stretch at least 20-60 seconds.

Do not stretch to the point of pain, you should only feel gentle tension. Back off if you feel pain or pressure in the joints.

Now you know WHY stretching is important, HOW to stretch safely, but there is one more important factor….WHAT stretches will you do?

Below are examples of versatile stretches that can become a part of your stretching routine.

1 Camel Pose
Start sitting on your heels, reach your hands back for your feet and raise the hips toward the ceiling. Be careful not to hyper-extend the lower back or drop the head.

2 Wide Forward Fold
Sit on the floor and open the legs out to the sides keeping the toes and knees pointing up. Keep the back straight and lean forward.

3 Frog Pose
Sit on your heels and place your hands on the floor in front of you. Open your knees to the side and slowly bring your hips down toward the ground.

4 Wide Side Lunge Pose
Start standing in a wide stance and lower your hips. Bend down to one side keeping the opposite leg straight with the toes and knee pointing up.

5 Butterfly
Sit with the bottoms of the feet touching, allow the knees to fall out to the sides. Push down with the hand or lean forward to increase the intensity of the stretch.

6 Forearm Extensor Stretch
Raise one arm forward at shoulder height, fingers pointing down. Press down with the opposite hand or curve the fingers under to feel the stretch.

7 Lateral Side Flexion of the Neck
Sit or stand and elongate the spine, imagine you are dangling from a string attached to the crown of your head. Look straight ahead and slowly move the earlobe toward the shoulder, keeping shoulders down for a nice stretch on the side of the neck.

8 Neck Rotation
Slowly turn the head to one side while keeping the spine lengthened. Press gently with the opposite hand to increase the stretch.

9 Neck Extension Stretch
Stand tall, lengthen the spin, and place hands on the hips with elbows pointing back. Slowly tilt head backward and avoid collapsing the cervical spine.

10 Lateral Side Flexion of the Neck With Assistance
Tilt the head to the side reaching the ear toward the shoulder. Use the hand to gently pull the head to facilitate a deeper stretch.

11 Half Kneeling Quad/Hip Flexor Stretch
Kneel in the “marriage proposal” position. Start to lean forward and feel the stretch through the hip flexor. Too deepen the stretch squeeze the butt muscles or pull the foot up toward your butt.

16 Standing Calf Stretch
Stand on the edge of a step and slowly lower heels to the ground. Hold onto a support if more balance is needed.

17 Front split
This is an advanced stretch and should be done with caution. Begin in kneeling position and slowly extend the legs in opposite directions. Carefully lower the hips to the ground and keep the spine erect.

22 Standing Calf Stretch
Stand in a lunge position, front knee bent and back leg straight. Reach the back heel to the ground in a slightly turned out position.

23 Lateral Flexion At The Wall
Stand next to the wall and reach outside arm over to grab onto wall. Press hips out to the side and lean into the stretch.

24 Supine Twist
Lie down on your back with both legs straight. Slowly bend one knee and bring it across the body. Hold the leg with the opposite hand and keep both shoulder blades on the ground.

Allow time to notice improvements in flexibility and realize that if you do not keep a regular stretching routine, you may lose some of the benefits, such as increased range of motion or pain reduction. Stretching carefully and consistently is the key to optimal flexibility.

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